Council to seal dog's fate today

By AINSLEY THOMSON and NZPA

One of the dogs that attacked Thames toddler Alex Josey will be destroyed today.

The owner of the staffordshire-cross bitch, called Krone, signed the dog over to the Thames Coromandel District Council.

Police are still investigating the attack - which has left Alex in Waikato Hospital with 5m of stitches in his head and face.

Charges are yet to be laid.

Police spokeswoman Kris McGehan said it had not been established how many dogs were involved in the attack, but after all witnesses had been interviewed, it was possible more animals would be impounded.

Alex's family remain adamant that he was attacked by four dogs, including two puppies.

Alex's surgeon, who performed a four-hour operation on the 2 1/2-year-old, has said that the facial wounds were inflicted by puppies, not a fully grown dog.

Auckland architect John Anderson, father of Carolina Anderson who was mauled by two staffordshire terriers last year, said the fact the new laws were enforced by individual authorities was a problem.

"The concern is that some local authorities have been less than active."

Alex's mother, Arlene Hutton, said the Thames Coromandel District Council had been told about roaming dogs in the area and animals, including cats, being mauled.

The council disputed the claim, with monitoring team leader John Howe saying it was the first he had heard of animals being mauled in the area. He acknowledged the area had problems with roaming dogs.

"What does it take for the council to do something - a child like Alex to be killed?" Ms Hutton said.

Last night, Alex was reported to be in a stable condition.